US Sen. Frank Lautenberg dies at 89 — Frank R. Lautenberg, who rose from a poor Paterson boyhood to become a multimillionaire businessman and New Jersey's longest-serving U.S.senator, died Monday at 89 of viral pneumonia, his office said. — The oldest member of the Senate …

Frank R. Lautenberg, 5-Term Senator From New Jersey, Dies at 89 — Frank R. Lautenberg, who fought the alcohol and tobacco industries and promoted Amtrak as a five-term United States senator from New Jersey, died on Monday morning in Manhattan. He was 89. — The cause was complications of viral pneumonia, his office said.

Anatomy of a Bogus Obamacare Argument — If you want to know why we can't have an honest debate about Obamacare, all you have to do is pay attention to some recent news from California—and the way a highly distorted version of it, by one irresponsible writer, has rippled through the conservative press.

GOP Report Warns Of Party's Apocalypse With Young Voters — The Republican Party's troubles with young voters are well known. But a new internal report virtually elevates the threat level to apocalyptic, declaring that the GOP needs a “fundamental re-thinking” of its approach in order to remain viable with the younger generation.

All Good Things... So it's been a rough month for my family and me. It's been a rough month for the blog too. I'm well aware that people come here to read about public affairs, not personal losses. — Unfortunately, family and personal matters must claim my attention for some time to come.

Biden cancels annual summer beach party — Vice President Joe Biden will not be throwing his annual beach party for journalists this summer, POLITICO has learned. — Since 2010, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden have invited top journalists to their home at the Naval Observatory …

Devoted to Politics, MSNBC Slips on Breaking News — At MSNBC they view it as rooting against death and destruction: the last thing the channel wants is more months like the last two, filled with terror bombings, tornadoes and plant accidents. — It's not all altruism.

Scandalpalooza — Is Team O trying to tire us out? — The Obama Scandalpalooza continues. It's gotten so bad that some pundits have even suggested that they're bringing everything out at once to induce “scandal fatigue” and make it all fade away. Well, maybe — there's certainly a lot:

Professors Are About to Get an Online Education — Georgia Tech's new Internet master's degree in computer science is the future. — Anyone who cares about America's shortage of computer-science experts should cheer the recent news out of Georgia Tech. The Atlanta university …

McCarthy diagnosed with lung cancer — “There will be some tough days ahead and I will have to miss activities in Washington during my treatment in New York, but I will continue to be a strong advocate for the 4th Congressional District — and I remain committed to improving Long Island's schools …

Former RNC chairman Steele mulls Maryland gubernatorial bid — Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele is considering running for governor in his home state of Maryland. — “We're looking at it,” Steele told MSNBC's Chuck Todd on Monday. “You're going take a look at the numbers.

Mayhem in the city: 25 people shot in 48 hours — Three killed Sunday after three were killed Saturday. One of the wounded includes an 11-year-old girl who will never walk again. — Cops check the scene of a deadly gun battle at Bedford Ave. and Lenox Road in Brooklyn on Sunday.